Ohio State SAR

Ohio Search and Rescue

Who leads searches in Ohio, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Each item links to its source. Reviewed November 2026.

Emergency: call 911. State contact: Ohio EMA (614) 889-7150. Ohio EMA’s Watch Office works as part of the State Emergency Operations Center. How a state request works ↓

Requesting state help in Ohio

No Ohio statute names a single agency to lead search and rescue. Missing-person searches are led by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (county sheriff, city or township police), which must take and act on missing-child reports.

  1. State 24-hour contactOhio EMA main line (614) 889-7150. The Watch Office works as part of the State Emergency Operations Center.
  2. Requesting state resourcesWhen more help is needed, the county EMA director asks the State through Ohio EMA (main line 614-889-7150). State SAR mutual aid requests are submitted and managed through the State EOC.

Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: Ohio EMA ↗.

Key numbers

Only figures with a published source.

88counties

U.S. Census Bureau boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau ↗

18Discipline directories

BluePrintSAR resource pages for Ohio (below).

How search and rescue is requested in Ohio

  1. Step 1In an emergency call 911. The local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (usually the county sheriff or city police) leads a missing-person search; local fire departments handle water and technical rescue.
  2. Step 2Local agencies use their own resources and existing mutual aid first, including volunteer SAR teams they work with.
  3. Step 3When more help is needed, the county EMA director asks the State through Ohio EMA (main line 614-889-7150). State SAR mutual aid requests are submitted and managed through the State EOC.
  4. Step 4The State EOC, with ODNR as ESF-9 coordinator, can task state agencies (State Highway Patrol, National Guard, ODNR), regional collapse and water rescue teams, and volunteer SAR groups such as the Ohio Special Response Team and Ohio Search and Rescue Association.
  5. Step 5Ohio Task Force 1 (FEMA Type I urban SAR) can be deployed in Ohio with approval of the Ohio EMA Executive Director.

Law and authority

Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.30

Law enforcement with jurisdiction must take every missing-child report, act promptly to locate the child, enter the child in NCIC and notify neighboring agencies. No agency may have a policy discouraging such reports. Does not cover adults.

Read the source ↗

Ohio Rev. Code § 5502.30

Immunity from liability for state and local employees, emergency management volunteers and private persons doing emergency management in good faith, including during training and drills; excludes willful misconduct. Workers' compensation rights are kept.

Read the source ↗

Ohio Rev. Code § 4123.033

Emergency management workers injured while doing emergency management duties get workers' compensation on the same basis as employees, unless already covered elsewhere.

Read the source ↗

State plans and guidelines

Official plans, annexes and program documents for Ohio.

Resources by discipline

What each resource does, how it is requested in Ohio, and the standards that apply.

Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Ohio

Loading counts…

Counts are directory category listings, not unique organizations, personnel or available assets. Informational canine placeholders are excluded. Organizations can appear in several categories; canine specialty subtotals can overlap.

Aviation (ANG / State Patrol)

The Highway Patrol Aviation Section provides free FLIR air support to any Ohio agency; Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard cover other cases.

How to request

In Ohio, aircraft are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

There is no Ohio standard for SAR aircrews. Civil Air Patrol follows national CAP training; Highway Patrol practice is set by the agency.

Canine (K9)

No state SAR dog license; volunteer teams certify through national work-dog bodies hosted by the Ohio Federation of K9 Search Teams; Ohio Task Force 1 fields canine search specialists

How to request

In Ohio, the local police or sheriff runs the search and the incident commander requests canine teams, which don't self-deploy.

Standards and policy

Ohio has no state-mandated SAR dog certification. The Ohio Federation of K9 Search Teams says it hosts certifications from the North American Police Work Dog Association and the International Police Work Dog Association that meet the state K-9 Tactical Advisory Committee requirements and NIMS resource typing.

Cave & Mine Rescue

Volunteer specialists

Specialists for rescues in caves and mines, where rope work, tight passages and communications make ordinary rescue methods hard.

Who provides it in Ohio

Cave rescuers serve on local rescue squads and cave rescue groups. The National Cave Rescue Commission (part of the National Speleological Society) trains them and tracks cave rescue resources and specialized equipment. Ohio is in the NCRC Central Region. Accidents at working mines fall under the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

How to request

Call 911. The agency with jurisdiction requests cave rescuers and can reach the NCRC regional coordinator listed on the NCRC staff page. Report an accident at a working mine to MSHA at 1-800-746-1553.

Standards and policy

NCRC national cave rescue curriculum: Orientation to Cave Rescue, Level 1 Team Member and Level 2 Team Leader.

Cell Phone Forensics

Kelsey Smith Act law: none found. 5 agencies and resources listed. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In Ohio, only the law enforcement agency running the search can ask a carrier for a phone's location.

Standards and policy

There is no single national certification for cell phone analysis in searches; agencies and labs set their own training requirements.

Coast Guard

Coast Guard districts and 4 sectors covering Ohio, plus 10 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In Ohio, call 911 or VHF-FM Channel 16 for a maritime emergency.

Standards and policy

Coast Guard and Auxiliary crews qualify under Coast Guard training programs; local marine units follow the standards their agency sets.

Communication

National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 4 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In Ohio, the agency running the search sets the radio plan.

Standards and policy

Communications unit leaders (COML) and technicians (COMT) train through CISA courses and state credentialing; volunteers hold FCC amateur licenses.

Dive & Underwater

7 public safety and volunteer dive teams listed. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Ohio, start with the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Public safety dive teams commonly train to NFPA 1006 (technical rescue personnel qualifications), which covers dive rescue; each team’s sponsoring agency sets its own certification requirements.

Drone / UAS

State drone law: ORC 4561.51. 6 agency and volunteer drone teams listed, each checked against a published source.

How to request

In Ohio, drone teams are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Part 107 pilots complete FAA recurrent training every 24 months; agency programs set their own proficiency standards.

National Guard

Governor-activated

Military helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.

Who provides it in Ohio

The Ohio National Guard (Army and Air), activated in state status by the Governor.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests it through Ohio EMA. NWCG’s helicopter extraction list directs 911 and dispatch centers to coordinate requests for military, Coast Guard and National Guard aircraft through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at 800-851-3051.

Standards and policy

State active duty under the Governor’s authority; Guard aircraft used for SAR are coordinated with the rescue coordination center.

Mantracking

Trackers who find and follow a missing person’s footprints and other sign on the ground.

Who provides it in Ohio

Trackers are requested through the agency running the search. This page does not list specific Ohio tracking teams.

How to request

The agency running the search requests trackers, usually alongside ground search teams; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

ASTM F2852, Standard Practice for Training a Land Search Tracker, sets minimum training for trackers supporting a land search. FEMA’s Land SAR Team typing (8-508-1173) references ASTM F2209 for land search team members.

Marine & Boating Law Enforcement

State boating agency

Officers and boats on lakes, rivers and coastal waters who respond to boating emergencies and support water searches.

Who provides it in Ohio

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators lists Ohio DNR, Parks & Watercraft as Ohio’s boating law agency (boating safety, enforcement and registration).

How to request

Call 911 for a water emergency; the agency with jurisdiction requests marine units through dispatch. On coastal waters and the Great Lakes, the U.S. Coast Guard coordinates maritime search and rescue.

Standards and policy

State boating laws. NASBLA promotes uniform state boating laws and their enforcement (U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division).

Sheriff / Law Enforcement

No Ohio statute names a single agency to lead search and rescue.

How to request

In an emergency call 911. The local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (usually the county sheriff or city police) leads a missing-person search; local fire departments handle water and technical rescue.

Standards and policy

No state SAR member certification; NFPA rescue technician certs via Ohio Fire Academy

State Parks

State agency

The state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.

Who provides it in Ohio

Ohio State Parks. The National Association of State Park Directors lists this as the official park-system website.

How to request

For an emergency in a park, call 911. Park staff support the agency with jurisdiction; see who leads searches at the top of this page.

Standards and policy

Park rules and staff authority are set by the state park agency; see its website.

Swiftwater & Flood Rescue

Teams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.

Who provides it in Ohio

Swiftwater and flood rescue is requested through the agency with jurisdiction. This page does not list specific Ohio swiftwater teams.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests water rescue through 911 dispatch. When local teams are exceeded, help is requested through Ohio EMA.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1020), which provides shore-based and boat-based water rescue, basic life support and animal rescue.

Technical Mountain Rescue

MRA teams listed

Teams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.

Who provides it in Ohio

Associate members: Ohio Special Response Team.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests the team, usually through 911 dispatch; see who leads searches above. Help from outside the area is requested through Ohio EMA.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Mountain Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1171) for low mountain, mountain and alpine environments. The MRA lists member teams by region with their membership status.

USAR (FEMA / State Task Force)

One FEMA task force is based here (OH-TF1).

How to request

In Ohio, US&R teams are requested by the agency in charge of the incident, through the state emergency management agency when local resources run short.

Standards and policy

FEMA task forces train to FEMA and NFPA standards; state and regional teams follow the standards their sponsor sets.

Federal lands (Forest Service and National Park Service)

Federal land manager

Federal land agencies whose staff support searches on national forests, grasslands and parks.

Who provides it in Ohio

National forests and grasslands in Ohio on the Forest Service’s list: Wayne National Forest. The National Park Service lists 10 park sites in Ohio.

How to request

Searches on national forest land are led by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (in most states, the county sheriff), with the Forest Service supporting under cooperative agreements. In a national park, call 911 or the park’s emergency line; the NPS will make reasonable efforts to search for lost persons, using its own staff or partner SAR organizations under formal agreements.

Standards and policy

NPS Management Policies 2006, §8.2.5.3: SAR runs under the Incident Command System and visitors are not charged for it.

UTV & ATV Units

Off-road vehicles, including UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes, that move searchers and equipment and carry out injured people over rough trails.

Who provides it in Ohio

Off-road vehicle support is requested through the agency running the search. This page does not list specific Ohio UTV or ATV units.

How to request

The agency running the search requests vehicle units; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s Land SAR Team typing (8-508-1173) includes ground vehicles for support, transportation and evacuation in land and wilderness searches.

88-county directory

Each county and its sheriff’s office. Who leads a search varies by state; see the top of this page. For an emergency, call 911.

All 88 phone numbers verified (2026-10) against the agency’s own site, a government directory, or a sheriffs’ association or IACP directory; each “Verified” link shows the source. For an emergency, call 911.

JurisdictionAgencyPhone
Adams CountyAdams County Sheriff’s Office(937) 544-2314
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Allen CountyAllen County Sheriff’s Office(419) 993-1412
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Ashland CountyAshland County Sheriff’s Office(419) 289-3911
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Ashtabula CountyAshtabula County Sheriff’s Office(440) 576-0055
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Athens CountyAthens County Sheriff’s Office(740) 593-6633
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Auglaize CountyAuglaize County Sheriff’s Office(419) 739-6565
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Belmont CountyBelmont County Sheriff’s Office(740) 695-7933
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Brown CountyBrown County Sheriff’s Office(937) 378-4435
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Butler CountyButler County Sheriff’s Office(513) 785-1300
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Carroll CountyCarroll County Sheriff’s Office(330) 627-2141
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Champaign CountyChampaign County Sheriff’s Office(937) 484-6091
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Clark CountyClark County Sheriff’s Office(937) 328-2560
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Clermont CountyClermont County Sheriff’s Office(513) 732-7500
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Clinton CountyClinton County Sheriff’s Office(937) 382-1611
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Columbiana CountyColumbiana County Sheriff’s Office(330) 424-7255
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Coshocton CountyCoshocton County Sheriff’s Office(740) 622-2411
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Crawford CountyCrawford County Sheriff’s Office(419) 562-7906
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Cuyahoga CountyCuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office(216) 443-6000
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Darke CountyDarke County Sheriff’s Office(937) 548-3399
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Defiance CountyDefiance County Sheriff’s Office(419) 784-1155
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Delaware CountyDelaware County Sheriff’s Office(740) 833-2810
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Erie CountyErie County Sheriff’s Office(419) 625-7951
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Fairfield CountyFairfield County Sheriff’s Office(740) 652-7900
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Fayette CountyFayette County Sheriff’s Office(740) 335-6170
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Franklin CountyFranklin County Sheriff’s Office(614) 525-3360
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Fulton CountyFulton County Sheriff’s Office(419) 335-4010
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Gallia CountyGallia County Sheriff’s Office(740) 446-1205
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Geauga CountyGeauga County Sheriff’s Office(440) 279-2064
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Greene CountyGreene County Sheriff’s Office(937) 562-4803
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Guernsey CountyGuernsey County Sheriff’s Office(740) 439-4455
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Hamilton CountyHamilton County Sheriff’s Office(513) 946-6400
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Hancock CountyHancock County Sheriff’s Office(419) 424-7097
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Hardin CountyHardin County Sheriff’s Office(419) 673-1268
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Harrison CountyHarrison County Sheriff’s Office(740) 942-2197
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Henry CountyHenry County Sheriff’s Office(419) 592-8010
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Highland CountyHighland County Sheriff’s Office(937) 393-1421
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Hocking CountyHocking County Sheriff’s Office(740) 385-2131
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Holmes CountyHolmes County Sheriff’s Office(330) 763-0014
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Huron CountyHuron County Sheriff’s Office(419) 668-6912
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Jackson CountyJackson County Sheriff’s Office(740) 286-6464
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Jefferson CountyJefferson County Sheriff’s Office(740) 283-8600
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Knox CountyKnox County Sheriff’s Office(740) 397-3333
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Lake CountyLake County Sheriff’s Office(440) 350-5517
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Lawrence CountyLawrence County Sheriff’s Office(740) 532-3525
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Licking CountyLicking County Sheriff’s Office(740) 670-5555
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Logan CountyLogan County Sheriff’s Office(937) 592-5731
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Lorain CountyLorain County Sheriff’s Office(440) 329-3702
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Lucas CountyLucas County Sheriff’s Office(419) 213-4941
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Madison CountyMadison County Sheriff’s Office(740) 852-1332
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Mahoning CountyMahoning County Sheriff’s Office(330) 480-5030
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Marion CountyMarion County Sheriff’s Office(740) 382-8244
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Medina CountyMedina County Sheriff’s Office(330) 725-0028
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Meigs CountyMeigs County Sheriff’s Office(740) 992-3371
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Mercer CountyMercer County Sheriff’s Office(419) 586-7724
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Miami CountyMiami County Sheriff’s Office(937) 440-6085
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Monroe CountyMonroe County Sheriff’s Office(740) 472-1612
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Montgomery CountyMontgomery County Sheriff’s Office(937) 225-4192
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Morgan CountyMorgan County Sheriff’s Office(740) 962-4044
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Morrow CountyMorrow County Sheriff’s Office(419) 946-4444
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Muskingum CountyMuskingum County Sheriff’s Office(740) 452-3637
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Noble CountyNoble County Sheriff’s Office(740) 732-5681
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Ottawa CountyOttawa County Sheriff’s Office(419) 734-4404
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Paulding CountyPaulding County Sheriff’s Office(419) 399-3791
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Perry CountyPerry County Sheriff’s Office(740) 342-4123
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Pickaway CountyPickaway County Sheriff’s Office(800) 472-6033
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Pike CountyPike County Sheriff’s Office(740) 947-2111
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Portage CountyPortage County Sheriff’s Office(330) 297-3682
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Preble CountyPreble County Sheriff’s Office(937) 456-6262
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Putnam CountyPutnam County Sheriff’s Office(419) 523-3208
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Richland CountyRichland County Sheriff’s Office(419) 774-5678
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Ross CountyRoss County Sheriff’s Office(740) 773-1186
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Sandusky CountySandusky County Sheriff’s Office(419) 334-6474
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Scioto CountyScioto County Sheriff’s Office(740) 354-7566
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Seneca CountySeneca County Sheriff’s Office(419) 447-3456
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Shelby CountyShelby County Sheriff’s Office(937) 498-1111
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Stark CountyStark County Sheriff’s Office(330) 430-3800
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Summit CountySummit County Sheriff’s Office(330) 643-2154
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Trumbull CountyTrumbull County Sheriff’s Office(330) 675-2508
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Tuscarawas CountyTuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office(330) 339-2000
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Union CountyUnion County Sheriff’s Office(937) 645-4100
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Van Wert CountyVan Wert County Sheriff’s Office(419) 238-3866
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Vinton CountyVinton County Sheriff’s Office(740) 596-5242
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Warren CountyWarren County Sheriff’s Office(513) 695-1126
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Washington CountyWashington County Sheriff’s Office(740) 373-6623
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Wayne CountyWayne County Sheriff’s Office(330) 287-5700
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Williams CountyWilliams County Sheriff’s Office(419) 636-3151
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Wood CountyWood County Sheriff’s Office(419) 354-9001
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified
Wyandot CountyWyandot County Sheriff’s Office(419) 294-2362
sheriff’s office line (Ohio Attorney General law enforcement directory) · Verified